EDUCATION OR OPPORTUNITY? UNDERSTANDING THE REAL DRIVERS OF STUDENT MIGRATION FROM NEPAL

Authors: Dr Deepak Chandra Bhatt* & Dr Rajendra Bir Chand

ABSTRACT

International student migration has emerged as a significant component of global mobility, particularly among young people from developing countries seeking educational opportunities, employment prospects, and long-term socio-economic mobility. Nepal has experienced a rapid increase in educational migration over the past decade, with growing numbers of students pursuing higher education abroad. This study aims to examine the key drivers of student migration from Nepal and to assess whether overseas education functions primarily as an academic pursuit or as a pathway to employment and broader migration opportunities. Using a mixed-methods research design that combines quantitative survey data from 120 migrant-intending students with qualitative evidence from focus group discussions and key informant interviews with education consultants, the study explores motivations for migration, destination preferences, skill preparation strategies, financing mechanisms, and the broader socio-economic implications of educational migration. The findings indicate that student migration is primarily driven by aspirations for employment opportunities, access to global education systems, and structured work–study pathways that provide legal entry into foreign labour markets. Japan emerges as the most preferred destination, largely due to its language-based migration pathways, part-time employment opportunities, and strong migrant networks. Migration decisions are strongly influenced by social networks and family support, while financial resources are primarily mobilized through parental investment complemented by scholarships and self-earning strategies. The study also highlights significant consequences of student migration, including declining enrollment in domestic institutions, capital outflows, and the potential loss of skilled human resources. The paper argues that educational migration should be understood not simply as academic mobility but as a hybrid migration strategy that combines human capital investment with labour migration and long-term settlement planning.

Keywords: Student migration, key drivers, opportunity or education, migration decision, Nepal

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